Chapter 30: A Birthday Gift

Lin Yitang’s birthday was the day after Xia Zhuixin’s.

He didn’t know this, and apparently, no one else in her family did either.

So, the reason she was disappointed when Xia Zhuixin’s birthday was mentioned was because no one remembered hers?

Yu Jingchuan’s emotions were complex.

Continuing to read Lin Yitang’s file, he discovered she’d had a difficult life. Her mother had died young, and she’d lived with Lin Dajun, who had been transferred to several military bases, forcing Lin Yitang to move constantly.

She had excellent grades in high school, enough to get into university, but for some reason, she’d given it up.

Yu Jingchuan closed the file. “No problems.”

“No problems. It’s just a formality. I’ll invite Comrade Lin Yitang in a couple of days!  The guys here will go crazy when such a beautiful woman comes to the base, won’t they?”

Qin Liangxin said this with a mischievous grin.

Yu Jingchuan sighed.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll go to the canteen to eat.”

“I’ll go with you!”

Qin Liangxin walked beside Yu Jingchuan, putting an arm around his shoulder, then suddenly remembered something.

“By the way, Deputy Commander Zhang is leaving in a few days.  They’ll send another deputy commander. I haven’t heard anything yet. Do you know who’s coming?”

“How would I know?”

Yu Jingchuan was sometimes exasperated by Qin Liangxin’s gossiping.

“Don’t play coy! Commander Yu handles this, and I don’t believe you haven’t heard anything! Jingchuan, we’ve been partners for years.

Do you still consider me a brother?  Give me some inside information!”

Yu Jingchuan pushed Qin Liangxin’s face away, saying coldly, “I haven’t heard anything, but I suspect it’s someone from the Special Forces.”

“Special Forces? Who could it be?”

Qin Liangxin pressed for answers, but Yu Jingchuan ignored him and walked towards the canteen.

The next day, Lin Yitang set up her stall at the usual time, selling Liangpi noodles and liangfen.  To her surprise, more people bought her face cream.

The few creams she’d sold last time had received excellent reviews. 

Han Xiuxiu, after only one use, found it effective, not only advertising for Lin Yitang but also buying another jar.

Several other female factory workers wanted to buy it, and Lin Yitang sold out her stock, with several more orders.

She hadn’t expected it to sell so quickly. She decided to make more and improve the packaging to make it more attractive and recognizable.

As she was thinking, she heard a familiar call across the street: “Delicious Liangpi noodles and liangfen! Only 40 cents a serving, free chili!”

Lin Yitang looked up and saw a new stall selling the same things her uncle, Liu Dayong, and aunt, Wang Xiulian.

They looked much more haggard, possibly due to Liu Xiaotong’s imprisonment; their hair had grayed significantly.

Noticing Lin Yitang, Wang Xiulian gave her a defiant and triumphant look. Liu Dayong looked uncertain, his gaze filled with self-reproach and guilt.

Lin Yitang hadn’t expected them to sell Liangpi noodles and liangfen, clearly copying her and undercutting her prices.

She frowned, annoyed.  She’d dealt with Liu Xiaotong; she didn’t want to bother with this, but some people were persistent.

Factory workers, hearing the lower price, flocked to the new stall.  Forty cents could buy a lot, and they weren’t wealthy.

Lin Yitang’s sales slowed, but her loyal customers supported her, and she eventually sold everything.  Before leaving, she looked intently at Wang Xiulian and Liu Dayong.

The weather was getting hotter.  Lin Yitang was sweaty by the time she got home.  She skipped dinner, showered, and went to bed.

She didn’t dwell on Wang Xiulian and Liu Dayong; they were easy to deal with.  She was thinking about He Chunhua.

Her plan was to secretly observe her after confronting her, then take down her and her accomplices.  But this was too risky if He Chunhua was a trafficker.

She’d have to find another way.  She’d wait for Yu Jingchuan’s investigation results.

Two days later, Qin Liangxin invited Lin Yitang to the base.

Chen Xiuyuan was waiting at the gate, greeting her with a smile.

“Comrade Lin, I’ve been waiting for you! It’s lunchtime; I’ll take you to the canteen!”

Chen Xiuyuan was sweating, but he didn’t seem to mind.

“Thank you!”

Lin Yitang followed Chen Xiuyuan to the canteen. 

The canteen was large, and as they entered, the noisy room fell silent.  Everyone looked at Lin Yitang, wondering who she was and how beautiful she was.

Chen Xiuyuan puffed out his chest proudly.

Lin Yitang smiled at the soldiers in green uniforms.  Her smile made her even more radiant, captivating everyone’s attention.

Yu Jingchuan, sitting by the window, scowled. He stood up and walked quickly to Lin Yitang.

“Come with me. I have some news about He Chunhua.”

Lin Yitang followed him.

They reached a quiet corner.

“Our investigation shows He Chunhua is close to human traffickers. She’s likely a member of the gang.”

Human traffickers!

Lin Yitang thought hard.

As she pondered, a pen was offered to her.

“It’s your birthday. This is a belated gift.”

The man’s hand held a black pen engraved with “Peace and Joy.”

Lin Yitang’s expression changed not to happiness, but to coldness. 

She recognized the pen. 

Yu Jingchuan had given the same pen to Xia Zhuixin for her birthday.